Plant · GBIF taxon 5285635
pitch pine
Pinus rigidaAlso known as Torch Pine, Rigid Pine, Sap Pine
Famous for shaping the unique pine barrens of eastern North America, pitch pine thrives where frequent fires and nutrient-poor, sandy soils suppress competing hardwoods. It possesses remarkable adaptations, including serotinous cones that remain sealed until intense heat triggers seed release, and dormant buds hidden beneath thick bark that sprout directly from the trunk after top-killing fires. Resilient gnarled branches and twisted needles in bundles of three give old specimens an unmistakable, rugged silhouette on exposed rocky ridges and coastal dunes.
Fire-AdaptedEvergreenConifer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic (Nutrients from soil, air, and sunlight)
Predators
- Southern Pine Beetle
- Pine Sawfly
- Porcupine
ThreatsFire suppression, land development, southern pine beetle outbreaks
HabitatsPine barrens, sandy coastal plains, acidic bogs, dry rocky ridges
Life span200 to 400 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPinaceae
- SpeciesPinus rigida
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identify trunk sprouts: Look for unusual tufts of needles growing directly out of the main trunk bark.
- Examine needle bundles: Count the stiff, twisted needles, which consistently grow in clusters of three.
- Spot serotinous cones: Search for tight, unopened resin-sealed cones lingering on older branches.
Herbivore 
Close Relative (c) Forest and Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-byClose Relative Close Relative
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